Punjab Farmers Grapple with Wheat Procurement Challenges Amid Moisture Conflict

Opposition parties SAD and Congress criticize the Punjab government's failure to secure moisture content relaxations for wheat procurement, leaving farmers unable to sell crops due to excess moisture. They allege the government acted too late compared to Haryana and Rajasthan, worsening farmers' struggles after unseasonal rains.

In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress parties have accused the state's government of failing to obtain necessary moisture content relaxations from the Centre for wheat procurement. They claim this oversight has left farmers without a market for their crops due to excess moisture content.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia stated that the state administration delayed securing these relaxations, unlike neighboring Haryana and Rajasthan. This delay allegedly compounded farmers' woes following recent unseasonal rains and hailstorms that damaged crops.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring echoed these concerns, noting numerous reports of reluctance among procurement agencies to buy the moisture-laden crops. This has stranded many farmers with unsold produce in the mandis.

(With inputs from agencies.)